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3/15/2005 - The Upside-down Tree: Scavengers, Sewerage Mains and Sulabh International in Uttar Pradesh by Richard D. Connerney

ICWA LETTERS Since Institute Current World Affairs Crane Rogers Foundation provided fellowships enable outstanding young professionals outside United States write about international areas issues An exempt operating foundation endowed Charles R Crane Institute supported contributions minded individuals foundations TRUSTEES Bryn Barnard Joseph Battat Mary Lynne Bird Steven Butler Sharon F Doorasamy William F Foote Peter Geithner Gary Hartshorn Kitty Hempstone Katherine Roth Kono Cheng Li Peter Bird Martin Chandler Rosenberger Edmund Sutton HONORARY TRUSTEES David Elliot David Hapgood Pat M Holt Edwin S Munger Richard H Nolte Albert Ravenholt Phillips Talbot Institute Current World Affairs The Crane Rogers Foundation Four West Wheelock Street Hanover New Hampshire 03755 U S A RDC SOUTH ASIA Richard Connerney Phillips Talbot Fellow studying influence impact religion Indian society The Upside Tree Scavengers Sewerage Mains Sulabh International Uttar Pradesh By Richard D Connerney MARCH The Upside Tree A large banyan towers Lucknow Botanical Gardens across street apartment If never banyan trees interesting For thing upside Banyan trees start growing skywards other When reach maturity however shoots develop branches straight burrow These shoots eventually thicken trunk grown banyan looks small forest single The grows backwards captured Indian imagination thousands years In Katha Upanishad ancient Sanskrit philosophical upside appears symbol world itself The universe eternall existing aloft branches spread below In analogy physical world rooted celestial Godhead Brahman The Brah immortal which three worlds their being Later Bhagavad Gita upside called Ashvattha Tree roots above branches below leaves likened verses poetry Elsewhere Krishna identifies himself spiritual source Ashvattha Tree claims Translation Manchester Frederick The Upanishads Breath Eternal Mentor New York urdhvamulamadhahshaakhamashvattham translation Besant Anne The Bhgavad Gita Text Translation Theosophical Publishing House foundation human itself Permeating I support beings vital energy Krishna The message clear human unique comes above In traditional worldview stinctive institutions society artistic literary cultural economic originate great beyond They exist physical universe their origin higher realm Human literally piece heaven earth Trees actually course For those inhabiting secular magical universe trees upwards earth versa In naturalistic fruit simply result nourishing healthy roots equate supply water clean control To extend analogy successful economic tural development consequence proper erection foundational institutions It creation equate sanitation sewerage potable water agriculture transportation hospitals schools functioning courts often called infrastructure commerce culture human itself flourish These versions upside ditional upright progressive perpetual conflict India today Like banyan Lucknow Botanical Gardens modern India moves different directions The tension tween these worldviews influences shape culture subcontinent different I begin lowest imagi examination ongoing develop projects cultural trends Along I discover traditional worldview symbolized Ashvattha affects development unique challenges opportunities ongoing effort modernize India Sewerage Uttar Pradesh Sulabh International This I begun India famous temples mosques shrines Sulabh International Museum Latrine Sewer vital issues confronting India Functioning sewerage large urban hospitable environments businesses individuals Their absence leads grave ecological public health problems Ultimately flowering culture literature music commerce education rises humblest roots If tempted laugh decision sider According U S Agency International Development USAID percent India urban population without significant access The Sulabh International Museum Latrine New Delhi photo D Simon RDC tioning sewerage system basic sanitation More billion liters untreated sewerage enters Ganges River every increasing already catastrophic deaths water borne diseases Ganges River plain In consider environmen public health problems arise inadequate sewerage systems nothing funny about Sulabh Mu latrines serious business This laughs while looking collection display tening curator museum Mr Bhageshwar Jha Mr Jha takes years sanitation history infectious passion irreverent As talks points bewildering displays water closet memorabilia ancient Harappa modern The collection includes cheological evidence indoor sanitation systems cient India placards dealing personal hygiene sacred texts Hinduism examples seemingly every indoor plumbing device every invented The museum Dr Bindeshwar Pathak founder Sulabh International Social Service Organization Dr Pathak inventor Sulabh Sauchalaya literally easily obtained latrine system simple design public latrine without access functioning sewerage portant India where villages cities connected public The Sulabh Sauchalaya system conserves water allows maintenance Using Sulabh Sauchalaya gentler impact vironment other forms septic latrines Over years Dr Pathak organization claim built million facilities India public private Today Sulabh Interna tional largest NGOs India The effort improve sewerage India stretches Mahatma Gandhi himself Gandhi reportedly concerned sanitation problems India requested attendees All India Congress Convention clean their latrines Dr Pathak Gandhi successor fight sanitary In On I visit Sulabh Museum employees singing religious hymns reception front statue Gandhi It possible comparison between Dr Pathak Mahatma Gandhi little The biography Dr Pathak provided press packet begins Dr Bindeshwar Pathak great humanist social reformer contemporary India To weaker sections society especially compassionate paternal redeemer He vision philosopher undying missionary He culture which embraces extols dignity labor His boundless downtrod India finds examples myriad tangible No wonder those intimately swear Dr Pathak helpless If sounds hyperbolic first usaid cp2000 india Panos Institure Disputes Over Ganga Delhi Demanding More Ganga Sudhirendar Sharma Kathmandu Pathak Bindeshwar Road Freedom A Profile Dr Bindeshwar Pathak INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Dr Pathak organi zation engaged excess Consider ample public restroom Sulabh International built controversial Sri Sai Baba devotees aesthetically exquisite visually appealing colourful toiletcum complex spread acres total Rs crores proximately The toilet complex provides variety facilities users including Water Closets bathing cubicles special toilets dressing rooms urinals immaculately avoid congestion Lucknow somewhat modest Sulabh facility Hazratganj bazaar I visit Sulabh Com Station photos bemusement It qualitatively ferent public restroom I entered Sun shine descends through skylights illuminating maculately clean interior spotless tiles gleaming fixtures On doorman smiles Rupee The Rupee charge surprises I thought Sulabh facilities lower economic strata India I wonder people couraged using Sulabh Comfort Center because A spokesman local Sulabh office later claims untary Still I often urinat public within walking distance facility Center itself usually deserted The Scavengers The adequate public erage Uttar Pradesh causes public health environmen problems social problems The removing human waste traditionally performed caste called Scavengers herit occupation cleaning trines birth It considered their dharma religiously dained manually remove excreta called night other people homes Naturally resulted strong aversion contact Scav engers fered lowest level caste hierarchy Sulabh International championed cause Scavengers claims liberated Scavengers their human profession through their system Uttar Pradesh currently Scavengers between million other state India My first contact Scavenger community The Sulabh Comfort Center Hazratganj Lucknow shopping district Sulabh Sanitation Movement Sulabh International Social Service Organization Pathak Bindeshwar Road Freedom A Sociological Study Abolition Scavenging India Motilal Banarsidas Delhi Dainik Jaagaran Safai Karmachaariyon Kede makodon Jaisaa Bartaav RDC Lucknow takes place apartment A shows announces clean bathrooms His Rajkumar member Scavenger caste He tells there several Scavenger colonies Lucknow including Bhapunagar which apart I bicycle Bhapunagar After I about oppression Scavenger caste I expecting shanty What I instead surprises The streets lined small clean shops houses while modest sturdy maintained Bhapunagar Hamptons neither Howrah slums Calcutta I Rajkumar about later He plains City Lucknow often ploys Scavengers repair maintain aging sewerage system In capac about Rs month about While actly affluence neither complete destitution Lucknow Scaven lowest level caste hierarchy necessarily poverished It means employment serious problem because nature scavengers There competing claim Hence these families difficulty getting municipalities porations scavenging Scavengers niche unlike dertakers society The nature Some members Scavenger caste front statue Maharishi Valmiki author Ramayana their profession disgust people there certain security disgust Moreover night trade funeral trade business always At another Scavenger colony Balmikinagar I thing sturdy working class dwellings display neither destitution opulence Balmikinagar added attraction cated Maharishi Valmiki caste Hindu wrote Ramayana important Hindu The Scavengers I Balmikinagar articulate dressed costly Western style clothing They strong sense pride community association Maharish Pathak INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Valmiki pictures front statue They confirm Rajkumar average salary Scavenger payroll Rs month about In eyesore Balmikinagar Sulabh Comfort Station Unlike Sulabh palace sonal hygiene Hazratganj Lucknow shopping district facility Balmikinagar state plete disrepair On I visit filthy swarm flies After trips Bhapunagar Balmikinagar I start wonder about conclusions reached progressive organizations about Scavenger munity Dr Pathak Road Freedom example paints monochromatic picture Scavengers pressed impoverished This picture neces sarily represent Scavenger community I Lucknow however On closer examination Dr Pathak claims about destitution Scavenger community dramatic placed context For example decries illiteracy rates among Scavengers neglects mention illiteracy Uttar Pradesh whole significantly higher Other statistics compiled Dr Pathak placed context It surprising asked about satisfaction Scavengers answer their their children follow their profession I wonder plumbers sanitation workers America would answer What these statistics Scavenger appreciation security respectable wages given exchange unskilled labor A New Sewerage System Lucknow Change Scavenger community The Lucknow Municipal Corporation LMC government Uttar Pradesh ciation Japan International Co eration Agency JICA planning scale upgrade sewerage systems largest cities Uttar Pradesh The government million includes Lucknow Varanasi Kanpur Allahabad In Lucknow system badly needed The quated sewer system currently place covers third reaches percent population In older neighborhoods constant stench arises sewers along roads Neither residents Balmikinagar Rajkumar express worry about government build automated sewerage system When I suggest system fewer government their community smile politely change subject These unfortunate Scavengers I blind their interest Over weeks coverage newspapers about sewerage system changes idled optimism guarded optimism thinly veiled despair The Japan International Cooperation Agency difficulty understanding Indian bureau cratic system complains coordina relevant ministries At stakeholders meeting members Uttar Pradesh ruling Samaajwaadi Party ridicule Japan International scatologi jokes their expense Then silence The story seems disappear media As turns first diose plans rehabilitation Uttar Pradesh India Today Special Issue May Patak Bindeshwar Road Freedom Times India Lucknow edition US Japan unclog sewers Times India Lucknow Edition Will sewer project RDC erage problems appeared papers Many mistic development organizations sailed brack founder reefs Indian bureau cracy political apathy Suddenly Scavengers Balmikinagar blind Conclusions Uttar Pradesh sewerage problem remain While Sulabh In ternational admirable offers Sulabh public facilities lessen toxification water table areas cannot serve adequate sewerage system Uttar Pradesh residents The solution sewerage problem Uttar Pradesh water problems health creates creation modern state sewerage treatment system Unfortunately state history development projects fruition there little promise latest efforts JICA different With government eradi scavenging realistic As neither government sponsored programs NGOs solution sewerage problem removal night continue performed Scavenger caste acting their traditional This might Ironically group stands eradication scavenging Scavengers themselves Traditional Indian society provided societal niche Scavengers Since Indepen dence Scavenger community enjoyed growing sense communal pride weakening social stigmas attached their inherited profession As sewerage systems large cities Lucknow remain dysfunctional government Uttar Pradesh tinue offer Scavengers steady unclogging repairing existing sewers In while people would choose Scavenger choice living Moreover clear organizations Sulabh International government Uttar Pradesh offer Scavengers place their traditional lifestyle Scavengers certainly desire freedom crimination ostracization Until viable development scheme creates attractive alternative however Scavengers interest liberated their The sewerage problem Uttar Pradesh illustrates challenges development At local politicians express their desire attract investment support essential infrastructure projects heartedly The relationship between unglamorous causes sewerage significant foreign investment between roots fruits sustain development remains confused minds politicians electorate alike In meantime ditional worldview symbolized upside Ashvattha continues dictate means solid waste management Uttar Pradesh Times India Lucknow Edition Scavengers rotting UP INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Current Fellows their Activities Alexander Brenner June CHINA With B A History Yale M A China Studies Johns Hopkins School Advanced International Studies Alex China examining country adapting economic cultural globalization following accession World Trade Organization Richard D Connerney January INDIA A lecturer Philosophy Asian Religions Philosophy Rutgers Iona College University Hawaii Manoa Rick Connerney spend years Phillips Talbot Fellow studying writing about intertwining religion culture politics India described former U S Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith functioning anarchy Rick B A M A religion Wheaton College University Hawaii respectively Cristina Merrill ROMANIA Born Bucharest Cristina moved Romania United States mother father Learning English retaining Romanian majored American History Harvard College there became captain women tennis She received Master degree Journalism New York University worked several U S publications Adweek New York Times spend years Romania watching emerge darkness Ceauscescu regime presumed light membership European Union NATO Andrew J Tabler February SYRIA LEBANON Andrew lived studied worked Middle East since Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Fellowship enabled begin Arabic language studies toward Master degree American University Cairo Following Master editorships Middle East Times Cairo Times before moving Turkey Lebanon Syria worked Senior Editor Oxford Business Group correspondent Economist Intelligence Unit His ICWA fellowship Beirut Damascus where report Lebanese affairs Syrian reform Matthew Z Wheeler October SOUTHEAST ASIA A former research assistant Rand Corporation Matt spent years looking proposals plans realities regional integration disintegration along Mekong River China Vietnam With B A liberal Sarah Lawrence M A Harvard East Asian studies Blakemore Fellowship Thai language studies Matt examined short conflicts Burma Thailand Laos Cambodia Jill Winder July GERMANY With B A politics Whitman College Walla Walla WA Master degree Art Curating Bard College Annandale Hudson NY Jill ICWA Donors Fellow looking Germany through ideas viewpoints contemporary artists Before months intensive study German language Berlin Thomas J Watson Fellow looking communist practice cultural politics transition former Soviet Czech Republic Slovakia Poland Croatia Hungary Latvia Romania Slovenia Ukraine Institute Fellows chosen basis character previous experience promise They young professionals funded spend minimum years carrying designed programs study writing outside United States The Fellows required report their findings experiences field month They write subject formally informally The result unique reporting analysis periodic assessment interna tional events issues Author Connerney Richard D Title ICWA Letters South Asia ISSN Imprint Institute Current World Affairs Hanover NH Material Type Serial Language English Frequency Monthly Other Regions East Asia The Americas Europe Russia Mideast North Africa Sub Saharan Africa ICWA Letters ISSN published Institute Current World Affairs Inc exempt operating foundation incorporated New York State offices located West Wheelock Street Hanover NH 03755 The letters provided charge members ICWA available libraries profes sional researchers subscription Phone Fax E Mail valley Web address Executive Director Peter Bird Martin Program Administrator Brent Jacobson Publications Design Management Ellen Kozak Institute Current World Af fairs The Crane Rogers Foundation The information contained lication reproduced writer permission